Google may emerge unscathed from FTC probe into its search business: report

Citing unnamed sources familiar with the situation, The Wall Street Journal is reporting Google
/quotes/zigman/93888/quotes/nls/googGOOG is close to wrapping up a two-year probe by the Federal Trade Commission into its Internet search business mostly unscathed.

The development could prove disappointing to rivals hoping the big cap Internet name would become entangled in antitrust litigation, the report said.

The FTC may end its investigation as soon as this week. In return, Google would carry out voluntary changes satisfy some of the agency’s concerns, according to one of the people cited by the newspaper.

The pact would mean Google would avoid a so-called consent decree, a formal FTC settlement in which the company would agree to certain terms.

Still, Google isn’t entirely off the hook. It may have to sign a consent decree on a narrower probe related to its handling of mobile-technology patents it acquired with its purchase of handset maker Motorola Mobility, the newspaper said.

The reports said The FTC believes it has evidence that Google improperly declined to award patent licenses to some mobile-device competitors and sought court injunctions against them to stop the products from being sold, another person familiar with the matter has said, according to the newspaper.

Story Conversation

About The Tell

The Tell is MarketWatch’s fast and engaging look at trends and themes in the day’s markets. Drawing on our reporters, analysts and commentators around the world, as well as selecting the best of the rest online, The Tell is all about the pulse of the markets through news, insight and strategic information to help you make the best investing decisions. Got a tip? Tell us at TheTell@MarketWatch.com